Eyeko NOTD

Eyeko PolishFollowing the debut of the new colors for Eyeko, the company keeps pushing out new colors to keep the first few less lonely.

Nothing could be more interesting to hear of course, so when these three petite bottles landed in my mailbox, I could’ve sworn my mailbox was as excited for them as the one in Blue’s Clues (fess up y’all – everyone has seen an episode or two!).

Trying to choose from the three for an NOTD, I couldn’t make up my mind. I settled on the Coral Polish – for resort nails (don’t you love the descriptions?) and was pleasantly surprised.

Eyeko Coral Polish Eyeko Coral Polish

On the left is without flash under fluorescent light, and on the right is with flash. Below is without flash or bright lights. The color is a pleasant bright red. The kind where you can tell something is fresh and ripe – can you tell I have tomatoes and strawberries on the brain!?

I’m not a red polish gal but this is a color I haven’t seen many companies pull off, this one is as vivacious and in your face as I would expect a red polish to be, and really, every girl should have it.

Eyeko Coral Polish

I’m in love. How about you?

Disclaimer: This product was sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on MOJ remain unbiased and unpaid. For more info, feel free to contact the author.

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Deborah Lippmann Sale

Deborah Lippmann Sale

Sign up with GiltWhat kind of friend would I be if I didn’t let you know all about the Deborah Lippmann sale going on at Gilt right now? The nail and skincare company offers top notch products which usually come with top notch prices. I like to dabble in the brand but have to either save up and use every coupon in sight, or wait for sample sales and shows for a discount. So don’t delay and take advantage of the offer, and let me know if you get anything! Here’s your invite: Gilt – Join here!

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What’s on Your Reading List?

Kate Spade Book Clutch
What’s on your summer reading list my dear readers? Maybe a cocktail party or two?

Kate Spade has a new collection of handbags in the style of literary classics. How would you like to don your librarian get up and a Gatsby clutch on your way to brunch on Sunday? What a novel idea!

I love all the cute little details, such as the “Kate Spade Publishing” on the bottom of each “spine.” I love unique clutches that stand out but can be relevant regardless of the trends. The description seems to promise more titles to add to their library, and I can’t wait because unfortunately, I am not a fan of these three titles.

Do you like these? What title would you want to come out in the Kate Spade book clutch collection?

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In the Spirit of Parian

Parian SpiritI am beyond backlogged on posting and many things in life in general, but lo and behold, I am nearly out of debt! Woot for me!

The first thing I knew I needed to tackle on the beauty end was a major cleanup. My brushes and my blender were undoubtedly cussing me as much as an inanimate object can, at their angriest point in life. They were filthy!

The tops of the brushes had all shades of blush, bronzer, and bright shadows – all sorts of purples, greens, and yellows staring back at me. Quite honestly, there probably were two or four pairs of microscopic eyes staring back at me, but we won’t think about that right now…

I broke out my not so recent Makeup Show purchase of Parian Spirit brush cleaner. The completely organic, citrusy cleaner guaranteed to clean your brush.

About Parian Spirit:
[CLEANS] oil based makeup, adhesives (spirit gum, medical,etc.), oil based clays, acrylics (after drying), latex (after drying)

[CONDITIONS] rejuvenates hair after cleaning

[DISINFECTS] kills bacteria better than any brand cleaner

[FAST DRYING] Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner is the preferred brush cleaner among professional film and television makeup artists. It is an environmentally safe product that thoroughly and gently cleans sable, squirrel and other fine brushes. This unique cleaner dissolves all types of makeup products (powder, liquid, wax based and adhesive) while conditioning and disinfecting brush hair. No artificial colors or fragrances are added. Our product is made from citrus spirits and leaves a clean look and smell to the brush. Also Parian Spirit will not damage the paint or wooden handle of a brush.

Parian Spirit is perfect for cleaning makeup and adhesives off the lace of wigs and hairpieces. ” (source: site)

Parian Spirit
At the show, I bought the set that came with the jar, the cleaner liquid, a glass jar, and a plastic sifter. The sifter is magical y’all. It goes on the bottom of the jar to grab at the dirt on your brush as you glide it along the bottom.

Parian Spirit
The water starts to change colors and your brushes become magically clean. I especially like to see the brushes that came in one color (i.e. the skunk ones or the beige ones) go back to their original color, despite much bright colored powder abuse. The liquid still smells like fresh oranges throughout the process. When done, you just drain the jar and wash it with soap. I like to wash mine with dishwasher liquid.

Parian Spirit
Ta da!

How do you clean your brushes?

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Sale Notices

Vincent Longo at Rue La La
This summer has proven to be a quite eventful one. At times it is hectic and I am incapable of getting to a phone or computer, at other times, it is as slow and patient as I hope to be as I progress through life.

This past weekend, I hosted a “clearance sale” in my friend’s basement to get rid of all my excess possessions. The sale wasn’t as ginormous as I hoped it would be, but it should bring me a pretty penny.

Though this sale was a clear indication of my shopping habits getting out of hand, the extra space in my apartment can only mean that my window shopping can include a purchase once in a blue moon. And with my inbox overflowing with awesome requests for my hard earned dollars, I am passing the sale notices to you as well. Sort of a shopaholic’s misery loves company kind of thing…

Vincent Longo Cosmetics starting at $13 at Rue La La. Click for your invite!
Also on sale at Rue La La: Rich & Skinny denim, Cass shapewear, Salvage menswear

Some other sales:
Free People, London Fog, Rachel Pally all on sale at Hautelook. Click for your invite!

L.A.M.B, Charles by Charles David footwear, Cia Maritima swimwear, MM Couture at ideeli. Click over for your invite!

Sonoro, Polaroid, Sheila Fajl jewelry, Young, Fabulous and Broke at Gilt. Your invite!

Oliver Peoples sunglasses, and Erica Anenberg jewelry (killer two finger rings!) at Billion Dollar Babes. Your invite!

Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Disney, Erno Laszlo skincare, Halo by Shoshanna hair accessories at Beyond the Rack. Your invite!

If your funds are aching, sign up to these sites so that you know which sales they have. Who knows – maybe your dream brand will have a clearance sale similar to mine once. Don’t pay retail when you have sample sales!

Planning to get anything? Let me know!

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Sales!

The weather in New York is absolutely splendid today. I am always really sensitive to the heat because I start sweating as though under a heat lamp, so these breezy interruptions are godsends.

I wanted to put up some sale notices so that no matter your location, your day could be just as breezy!

Laura Gellet at Rue La La
Laura Geller Cosmetics starting at $12 at Rue La La. Click for your invite!
Also on sale at Rue La La: Judith Ripka Jewelry, Prairie, Surrey, Jack Victor

Some other sales:
American Apparel (womenswear, menswear, handbags), Judith Lieber sunglasses, Hazel&Harlow Jewelry all on sale at Hautelook. Click for your invite!

Marc New York, Walter (the cutest womenswear ever!), Olivia Care body products, Blush lingerie, Yochi designs jewelry,  White Watches (white accessories) at ideeli. Click over for your invite!

Vera Wang Collection, DKNY shoes, Derek Lam, Keds, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas for men, Diesel shoes for men at Gilt. Your invite!

Planning to get anything? Let me know!

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Hot Mama!

BET Awards 2010 Alicia KeysMy honey and I have a running joke that pregnancy is as contagious as the flu. When we are at family functions he jokes about holding too many children and when we go to Babies R’ Us to buy gifts for showers we kid about something being in the air. So you wouldn’t find it hard to imagine that watching the BET Awards was full of storytelling between us!

Miss soon to be Mrs.Kasseem Dean (Swizz Beatz) aka Alicia Keys is Miss Baby Bump performer of the moment. She hit the stage in a minidress and high heels that I would think twice about rocking and I have no bun in this oven.

BET Awards 2010 Alicia Keys

BET Awards 2010 Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys rocked out to her own songs, followed by a tribute to Prince and got on top of a piano no less! If you asked me, the first dress was a bit too short for that belly, but being that she looked so darn gorgeous, I’d say this is one of those times when the preggo lady is always right!

BET Awards 2010 Alicia Keys

Check out some other gals who didn’t let any trimester mess with their showtime:

MIA
(Photo Credit)
Jennifer Hudson  Jennifer Lopez

(Photo Credit: left and right)

Did you watch? Any favorites?

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Zoya Flash NOTD

As promised, here are two of six NOTDs from the Zoya Flash color collection. This was during a time of my nails requiring mending so I used falsies to swatch colors. I’m loving the collection as a whole. My only qualm being that a top coat is necessary to maintain the shine. It doesn’t dry matte, but it doesn’t dry shiny either. Then again, almost everyone uses top coats anyhoo, so what’s the problem, right?

Zoya Nail Polish - Jancyn Zoya Nail Polish - Jancyn
Jancyn my favorite shade of tangerine orange. Creamy and mostly opaque in one coat, but optimally two coats are necessary. Flash on right and none on left.

Zoya Nail Polish - Jancyn

Zoya Nail Polish - Jolene Zoya Nail Polish - Jolene
Jolene is a cute bubble gum pink that is unlike any pink shade I’ve ever had. It’s also a darn good true to bottle color match.

Zoya Nail Polish - Jolene

Do you have a favorite from the Flash collection?

Disclaimer: This product was sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on MOJ remain unbiased and unpaid. For more info, feel free to contact the author.

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Are you too old for temporary tats?

Glimmer Body ArtRecently I volunteered to babysit a tot of a friend. Just as I was asking this young gentleman to do homework, he was busy using water to adhere a temporary tattoo. It took some negotiating, but don’t doubt my parental guardian skills y’all, I still got him to do the work! Soon as he settled down though, I sat by the computer chuckling at the coincidences in life.

Not too long ago, at The Makeup Show New York, I came across a childhood past-time crossing over into the laps of beauty gals. Glitter body art tattoos from Glimmer Body Art.

I admit I was skeptical at first. Really? Temporary tattoos? and glitter? Disaster in the works. Wrong! I was stuck waiting in line watching how these fab tattoos applied.

Check it out:

Glimmer Body Art
Caught a glimpse of the temp tattoo on the artist who was doing the demos for people. This is the one that made me go hmmm – this is kinda cute!

How to, a photo journal (I was a fly on the wall as the artist applied a tattoo on a person at the show):

Glimmer Body Art
First you stick the stencil on the desired area on your body (ankles, wrists, necks, and forearms were popular choices). I asked if these stencils could be reused and got a doubtful answer. The stencils aren’t that expensive so I’d say you could part with it after one time use.

Glimmer Body Art
Apply special glue over stencil. Fill space of tattoo properly so that glitter will stick.

Glimmer Body Art
I was surprised I got this shot so well. Here, you remove the stencil – almost like turning a page, just peel. I wanted to highlight the part where the glue is, but my camera did me proud and capture it pretty well. Can you see it?

Glimmer Body Art
The artist used a makeup brush to apply glitter and a piece of paper to catch the debris under the area of application. This is also a genius idea to waste less glitter, as you can just reuse the fallout.

Glimmer Body Art
Just brush color on with reckless abandon.

Glimmer Body Art
Cover all parts of glue that you want with each color. In this instance, the person getting the tattoo requested two colors.

Glimmer Body Art
Apply second color where you want.

Glimmer Body Art
Blend glitter around so that the two colors blend in between well and maybe even mix.

Glimmer Body Art
Brush all excess glitter off. Voila!

The stencils range from $.50 to $2 each. Not at all cheesy and not expensive either.

The artist told me that these can last several days and up to a week, depending on where it is and how it’s used. For example, I can imagine that if you wax your legs and do a body scrub, your ankle glitter tattoo won’t last too long. Otherwise they’re a great hint of unexpected sass.

I was won over with these bad boys. How about you?

If you do parties or large events, you may want to consider getting the pro kit. Just for yourself? They got small sets, and themed sets. Check out the website here.


Would you try a Glitter Tattoo?

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Stila Smudge Pots

Stila Smudge PotsI’ve confessed sins of being away from the blogging and internet world for a bit, but you will finally understand that the beauty side suffered too.

I had a holiday four pack of Stila smudge pots just waiting eagerly to be swatched and used for months, and it took the summer for me to crack open the packaging.

As you may have read previously, both the company and the smudge pots themselves are in the top ranks of my makeup standings. If this was the World Cup of Cosmetics, they wouldn’t need a qualifying round. Click here to check out my tutorial with another smudge pot.

Stila Smudge Pots
See the snow designs on the packaging? Yeah, I def got this in the winter!

Stila Smudge Pots

Stila Smudge Pots

Colors left to right, kitten, starry night, violet, black.

Stila Smudge Pots

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002Q50V42&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifrI don’t really know why the swatch picture came out so funky. I will be trying a look with these pots soon. I’m liking the colors. They’re highly pigmented and super creamy. I like that they had three dark shades and one that could be used as a daytime shade or a highlighter. That, or you can use it as a base to mix and blend the other colors. Anyone feeling like a Stila scientist?

You can buy this collection for $32 on Amazon or the Stila site, or you can buy the full size ones individually by color on the Sephora site.

Have you tried these bad boys? Let me know!

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